The functional capabilities of seniors with dementia begin to decrease as the condition progresses, but seniors still retain many of their abilities. Therefore, it’s important for them to continue doing many of the activities they enjoyed in the past as well as learning new things. Here are some mentally stimulating activities your aging loved one should try if he or she has been diagnosed with dementia.
1. Drawing and Painting
Enhancing the mind is very important for seniors with dementia, so family caregivers need to incorporate creative activities, such as drawing and painting, into their weekly schedules. Whether your loved one creates a picture or colors in an adult coloring book, he or she will have the ability to express him or herself artistically. The objects, shapes, people, and various things your loved one draws could relate to memories, and the colors could represent emotions. Communication is one of the most common challenges for seniors with dementia, and practicing visual arts can promote self-expression and help seniors connect with others.
2. Solving Puzzles
Using critical thinking skills can help seniors stay alert and boost their cognitive health. It’s vital that seniors with dementia use the skills they have because inactivity can cause their abilities to decrease at a faster rate. Instead of helping your loved one solve puzzles, encourage him or her to work independently to bolster cognitive skills. You can choose challenging puzzles, but keep in mind that if they’re too difficult to solve, your parent could become agitated and even violent.
Seniors with dementia can optimize their quality of life with the help of highly trained, experienced professional caregivers. If your senior loved one needs professional dementia care, Edmonton caregivers are available around the clock to provide the high-quality care he or she needs. Using the revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, dementia caregivers can help your loved one stay mentally engaged and delay the progression of the disease.
3. Looking Through Photo Albums
While looking at pictures with family and friends, your loved one may connect to the images and possibly trigger memories. Reminiscing can bring back moments of joy for older adults with dementia, keeping them peaceful, content, and self-confident. Going through old photo albums also gives seniors the ability to interact with their family and friends. Engaging in conversations is vital for seniors with dementia because the activity can enhance their communication skills as well as their quality of life.
4. Doing Household Chores
Helping out with household chores provides structure for seniors with dementia. When doing laundry, washing dishes, or picking up around the home, seniors may feel capable and accomplished, as opposed to viewing themselves as a burden. This type of activity can provide the stability and predictability your loved one longs for and stave off feelings of confusion. Encouraging your parent to help out with cooking, cleaning, and other household chores may boost his or her mood and enhance his or her quality of life.
Seniors with dementia often need assistance with everyday activities so they can age in place in safety and comfort. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of at-home care Edmonton, AB, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s
5. Reading
During the early stages of dementia, seniors can typically read books and other forms of literature with no difficulty. There may be instances when they forget what they’ve learned as the disease progresses. However, as long as your loved one wants to read, he or she should. In addition to books, your loved one can read emails, greeting cards, and letters from family and friends. Reading is a mental exercise that can help seniors with dementia boost their brain functioning.
If your loved one is living with dementia, having a trained professional caregiver close by can provide you and your family with much-needed peace of mind. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Edmonton families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Call us today at (780) 490-7337 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.